Grand Traverse Light facts for kids
| Location | Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 45°13′N 85°33′W / 45.21°N 85.55°W |
| Year first constructed | 1852 |
| Year first lit | 1852 |
| Automated | 1972 |
| Foundation | Dressed stone and timber |
| Construction | Brick, wood, and iron |
| Tower shape | Nine-sided on roof of dwelling/Flemish revival |
| Markings / pattern | Red w/black trim |
| Height | 41 feet (12 m) |
| Focal height | 47 feet (14 m) |
| Original lens | Fifth order Fresnel lens (original), DCB 24 Aerobeacon (current) |
| Range | 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) |
The Grand Traverse Light is a famous lighthouse in Michigan, a state in the United States. It stands at the very tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. This peninsula separates two large bodies of water: Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay. The lighthouse helps guide ships through the Manitou passage, where Lake Michigan flows into Grand Traverse Bay. The lighthouse you see today was built in 1858. It replaced an older, round tower from 1852. This historic lighthouse is located inside Leelanau State Park, about 8 miles (13 km) north of Northport. The area is popular with tourists, especially in summer.
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History of Grand Traverse Light
Some people call this lighthouse "Cat's Head Point Light." Others know it as Northport Light, named after the nearby town of Northport.
Building the First Lighthouse
The idea for the first lighthouse here came from President Millard Fillmore in July 1850. Workers built a brick tower and a separate house for the lighthouse keeper. This first lighthouse was located a bit east of where the current one stands today. However, people soon realized this first building was not good enough.
The 1858 Lighthouse and Its Importance
Because the first lighthouse wasn't working well, it was taken down in 1858. A new, stronger lighthouse was built in its place. This is the lighthouse you can visit today. This 1858 lighthouse is very important. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a special historical site in the United States. It's also on Michigan's own historical list.
Inside the lighthouse keeper's house, you can see a special lens called a Fresnel lens. This type of lens was used in lighthouses to make the light shine very brightly. A historical marker was put up in 1993 to tell visitors about the lighthouse's past.
Visiting the Lighthouse Today
Today, you can explore the Grand Traverse Light. It looks like a lighthouse keeper's home from the 1920s or 1930s. Inside, you'll find exhibits about other lighthouses, foghorns, and shipwrecks. You can also learn about local history.
The lighthouse has a restored air diaphone foghorn. This loud horn used to warn ships in foggy weather. They even demonstrate it sometimes! Visitors can also climb to the top of the tower. From there, you get amazing views of Lake Michigan. The beaches nearby are rocky but fun to explore.
The lighthouse is part of Leelanau State Park. The park has places to camp and other things to do. You need to pay a fee or have a Michigan Recreation Passport to enter the park. There's also a separate fee to go inside the lighthouse itself.
